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Statement from the Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON)

5 June 2012

Statement on Gerry Brownlee’s suggestion of a “less bendy” Avon River

AvON welcomes Gerry Brownlee’s comment that decisions on future recreational uses of red zone land are for the wider community to make. As an organisation with more than 200 individual members and 50 member organisations, and having gathered more than 18,500 signatures on its petition to Parliament,AvONis pleased to have the support of a very large part of that community.

AvON’s aim is to “turn a tragedy into an opportunity, a polluted drain into a vibrant river system, and exhaustion and despair into hope and inspiration.”

As we have stated in our charter, in our submission to the Christchurch City Council draft annual plan and in the submission we have prepared for Parliament’s local government and environment select committee, there is potential in theAvONvision for a flat water facility.

All over the world, vibrant river systems follow their own course. Interfering with that natural course and flow can have profound effects on the ecology and sustainability of the entire river system. We strongly advocate that any proposal for a flat water facility must work in harmony with the natural state of the river and its environment.

We are pleased to be working with our sporting members to investigate what is possible within the broadAvONvision in a way that works with the river and its natural ecosystem.

AvONis a not-for-profit group. Its vision is to “establish a community-driven science-informed living memorial to rejuvenate and nurture the long-term environmental, economic, community and spiritual wellbeing of the eastern suburbs and of those living throughout greaterChristchurch. Our aim is to turn a tragedy into an opportunity, a polluted drain into a vibrant river system, and exhaustion and despair into hope and inspiration.”